THE Easter recess has been a time of catching up in the constituency but also, as one would hope, a time for many to reflect on the meaning of Easter.

In a Church Times article the Prime Minister said: “We should be more confident about our status as a Christian country, more ambitious about expanding the role of faith-based organisations and, frankly, more evangelical about a faith that compels us to get out there and make a difference to people's lives.”

I welcome the affirmation of the Christian faith in our national life and I was saddened, though not surprised, to see the reaction to the Prime Minister’s statement by 50 prominent signatories in a letter to the Telegraph. This group was anxious to assert that Britain was largely a “non-religious society” and expressed concern that division would be fostered by referring to the Christian nature of our country.

It always surprises me when non-Christians get so anxious about the role of the Christian faith in motivating so many across our nation to do good works. Of course people who practise other religions and those with none demonstrate similar or sometimes more laudable behaviour without the motivation of the death of Christ behind them.

However, quite why those without faith or of another faith should feel alienated by the reference to the Christian heritage as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ is a mystery to me.

I spent some of Bank Holiday Monday at the Ray Mac and it was a joy to see three goals within ten minutes as The Whites went 3-0 up just 20 minutes into the first half.

The second half was less noteworthy but, nonetheless, the impressive score line was maintained when the final whistle blew.

I hope that ongoing uncertainty over the financial future of the club can be resolved soon – the faithful supporters seek reassurance as we end the season.